Name Change Before or After Applying for SSN?

[lurdino 9]

I've had a review of older threads but I'm still unclear about this.

I'm planning on changing my name when I get married. We haven't got a concrete date yet, but will presumably get married within a week or two of my arrival; however I was planning on applying for my SSN within a few days.

Which of the following options is better:

1. Apply for SSN with maiden name and change after getting married

2. Apply for SSN with maiden name and change after AOS

3. Apply for SSN with planned married name (I don't think this is even possible?)

4. Wait until after marriage to apply for SSN

Any advice would be very much appreciated!

[Anh map 2,098]

Wait and do it after the wedding, then apply for the adjustment of status with the new name. It won't slow anything down. You've got 60 - 90 days of down time.

Edited March 27, 2016 by Anh map

[Jack2107 46]

Why make more work? Do it after your married unless you don't plan on taking your new name

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Plan #2

But apply for AOS in the married name

Or even if you marry first, still apply for SSN in the name exactly as it appears on your I-94. Fix it later when USCIS has your immigration status listed in the married name ...EAD or green card.

[6yearslater 4]

there is no issue when filing for AOS with my maiden name is there? I am unsure if i want to change my last name.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

there is no issue when filing for AOS with my maiden name is there? I am unsure if i want to change my last name.

The only issue is if your green add is issued in the maiden name and you decide you want to use a married name instead, you pay $400ish to get a name change on a green card.

[wbeem 568]

Hi, I've just updated my SSN to my married name. We did it last week. It was easier for me because I knew I was taking my husband's last name.

I applied for my SSN as soon as we arrived (2 days later).

A week later I had my card in my maiden name.

We got married the following week.

We filed for EAD, AP and AOS in October, which I did in my married name.

We got our EAD/AP combo card last week. AOS application is still pending.

Last week we took my marriage certificate, passport and combo card to our Social Security office and it took about 10 minutes to process.

All sorted. It should be arriving in the mail in a few days.

It really doesn't make much difference when you do it, so pick what works for you. I was glad to have it as we had some issues enrolling daughter in school last summer and they insisted on my SSN so I was glad to have it. But that was a school admin thing.